Should you buy or lease solar panels?

Homeowners who are considering solar panels have multiple buying options, including a cash purchase, solar loan or leasing solar panels. While a single cash purchase can be viable if you have the funds available, there are also ways to go solar at zero upfront cost — like with a solar lease.

How much does a solar lease cost?

A lease helps you avoid the upfront cost of solar panels, which cost around $15,000 to $20,000 on average. You can also avoid upfront costs with a solar loan, but the financial requirements are more demanding than with solar leases.

Can you sell a solar system under a lease?

Under a solar lease, you won't own your solar system, but will still benefit from its generated electricity. A leased solar system can make selling your home more difficult because the next owner may not want to take over your lease payments. What is a solar lease?

What is the difference between a solar lease and a PPA?

These two financing options are very similar. The critical difference is that with a solar lease, you'll have a fixed monthly payment, whereas with a solar PPA, you'll purchase the power generated by your system at a fixed price per kilowatt-hour (kWh). What does that mean for you?

Is a solar lease agreement worth it?

Of course, nothing in life is completely free. With a solar lease agreement or PPA, the cost of the solar panels is figured into your monthly bill and spread out over time. But this makes the overall payment much more convenient. Overall, both of these approaches offer some very appealing ways to save.

Does a solar lease fit a home?

From a financial standpoint, a solar lease may fit homeowners who meet the following conditions: A solar lease also delegates system maintenance to the provider, although solar panels typically do not require much maintenance beyond regular cleaning.